Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center by Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli Read Free Book Online Page B

barked at Elizabeth.  "I don't understand, then whose blood is it ? ... how did the blood get into the room?"  Alex's voice was demanding.
    Elizabeth held her arms up in a back-off gesture.  "Alex, chill out and please let me finish.  I'll tell you what we know, which isn't much.  We think the blood belongs to a rooster found in the room with her.  We also found a dead snake, cut in three pieces under her bed.  We don't know the meaning."  Elizabeth paused for a breath.
    Alex could hardly believe what she was hearing.  She was stunned and could feel the hair stand up on her a rms. The hospital leaders started talking at once, shouting over each other in an effort to be heard, except for Alex, who was speechless.  She watched as an administrative aide closed the conference room door from the peering eyes of news reporters.
    "Quiet, quiet," Alex said firmly.  "One at a time, please." 
    Finally the noise died down. 
    "Help me understand.  What does this mean?  What else have you done?"  She looked around the room.  "Have the police been notified?  Does Governor Raccine know?  How'd the press find out?"
    Dr. Ashley, a fifty-some year old, silver-headed gentle-faced general practitioner who seemed a little calmer than the other administrators, attempted to answer Alex's barrage of questions.
      "Alex, please keep in mind we don't know much. Yes, the police have been called.  Captain Francois of the NOPD is currently questioning the staff on Six North." 
    Alex looked at her nemesis, Bette Farve , and asked her sharply, "Have you spoken to the nurses about what happened?  Have you interviewed and prepared them for the police questioning?  Did you impound the chart from the unit?" 
    Bette Farve, an angry, thin-faced stick of a woman, bristled at Alex's questions and responded sarcastically, "I talked with the night nurse briefly, but she was so traumatized that she didn't make much sense.  It was a waste of my time."  Bette hesitated for a moment and continued arrogantly , "If we'd been able to reach you, Ms. Destephano, perhaps we could've been more prepared for this."  Bette's voice was cold and had a caustic edge to it.
    Alex ignored the implication.  She and the chief nursing office r rarely agreed on anything, and Alex frankly didn’t like her.  "We're preparing now.  You need to get up there and provide psychological support for the nurses who cared for and observed Mrs. Raccine's situation for lack of a better word.   You need to call psych and arrange for a post-traumatic stress counselor for the nurses. Please leave here now and report to Six North so we can know firsthand what is going on up there."
    Alex knew she was invading the territory of the chief nursing executive, but didn't care.  She detested Bette Farve and found her an inept nursing leader who neither cared about her staff, her patients, nor anything other than the prestige of her position and time off.  Usually Alex had a little more patience with Bette, but it was unfathomable that Bette would be in a meeting with the administration when her staff was coping with a medical and political disaster and the police.
    "I wasn't aware I worked for you, Ms. Destephano.  As you know I report to Mr. Montgomery." 
    Alex glared at Bette, looked at Don and spoke directly to him, "To safeguard our legal position, Ms. Farve needs to be on Six North reviewing the situation and providing support for her staff.  This is necessary for obvious reasons, especially for support of CCMC's potential liability.  We can manage here without her.  As soon as she assesses these things, she can report back to us.  In fact, I'll b e up there shortly to talk with the staff myself."
    Don looked at Alex blankly and seemed unable to respond.  He looked back at the floor. 
    Alex persisted, "Don, Ms. Farve needs to report to Six North.  Now.  I insist ! "
    After a brief silence, Don nodded his head, and Dr. Ashley addressed Betty directly, "Please go to